Orange Jordan has won the Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work in recognition of its Coding Academy, a digital empowerment initiative. The academy, which has helped over 800 participants, aligns with Orange’s commitment to enhancing youth skills and supporting Jordan’s digital transformation and employment efforts.
Egypt has invested EGP 10bn to upgrade the digital infrastructure of public universities, including the launch of Egypt’s first generative AI pilot at Ain Shams University. This initiative aims to enhance student skills and foster digital transformation in higher education, aligning with Egypt’s broader strategy for Vision 2030.
Apple Pay has officially launched in Egypt, enabling users to make secure, contactless payments using Apple devices. The initial rollout includes partnerships with major banks like the National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, and CIB. This marks a significant step toward Egypt’s digital payment transformation and financial inclusion.
Egypt has achieved a 181% increase in financial inclusion between December 2016 and June 2024, expanding financial access to 48.1 million citizens. MSMEs have also seen substantial growth, with microfinance funding rising 1,350%. Efforts include expanding financial technology and supporting women’s empowerment and public service improvements.
Egypt’s four telecom operators have signed new agreements to enhance service quality, with updated penalties for operators who fail to meet standards. These fines will be reinvested into infrastructure improvements, particularly in remote areas, to improve mobile services nationwide. The initiative aligns with efforts to boost Egypt’s global telecom ranking.
Grameenphone has extended its partnership with Edotco Bangladesh through a multi-year leasing agreement, supporting network expansion efforts to enhance coverage and digital access, even in remote areas. This collaboration strengthens Grameenphone’s infrastructure and contributes to Bangladesh’s digital empowerment goals.
Bahrain has launched the “Global Digital Twinning for eGovernment Excellence” initiative to share its digital governance expertise with partner countries. The programme highlights Bahrain’s leadership in digital transformation, with innovations such as integrated government services and advanced digital platforms. This initiative aims to enhance global digital collaboration and governance.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met Crypto.com president Eric Anziani to discuss Bahrain’s commitment to advancing financial services and digital technology. During the meeting, they explored Bahrain’s role in fostering investment in fintech and received a new Mastercard prototype from Crypto.com, marking a milestone for the region.
Algeria is advancing its digital transformation by modernizing the internal trade sector, introducing 36 digital platforms to monitor markets and enhance transparency. This effort supports the country’s economic growth, improves service delivery, and strengthens regulatory frameworks in line with President Tebboune’s vision for a digitalized economy.
Satellite internet is revolutionizing connectivity in the GCC, bridging the digital divide and supporting sectors like education, agriculture, and SMEs. This technology is enhancing industries such as oil and gas and driving the region’s Fourth Industrial Revolution. Key players like Starlink and AST SpaceMobile are shaping the future of connectivity.
